9 October 2012 Last updated at 05:36 ET

Pensions deficit cut in September, says PPF

The estimated cost of providing pensions has put some pressure on funds

The collective deficit of the UK's private sector, final-salary, pension schemes improved during September.

The Pension Protection Fund (PPF) said that the deficit of the 6,432 schemes fell from £280bn at the end of August to £229bn a month later.

A slight pick-up in the performance of shares helped to improve the situation for schemes.

However, the deficit remained larger than a year earlier, when it stood at £205bn.

This was the result of a rise in the estimated costs of providing pensions.

Some 5,248 schemes were in deficit at the end of September while 1,184 were in surplus.